Pre-Columbian, West Mexico, Colima, ca. 300 BCE to 300 CE. This is a large cutting blade, hand-knapped from a jet-black obsidian stone. The obsidian is flaked into a bifacial shape, with one convex face, and a slightly curved, petaloid profile. A sharp edge encircles the entirety of the blade, but the rounded butt end fits very comfortably in the right hand, with the pointed tip outwards; this piece could also be hafted to a handle as well. Obsidian flakes to a razor sharp and glassy surface which was invaluable to hunters as they were more effective at cutting than other stones. In fact, surgeons today sometimes use obsidian because obsidian tools can be thinner and sharper than steel tools! Size: 4.5" L x 2" W (11.4 cm x 5.1 cm)

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#152935

Chips and losses to peripheries from use and age, otherwise intact with large flaking patterns. Scattered mineral and earthen deposits on convex surface.